COVID-19 Information for Students

Free KN95 masks are currently available to UC San Diego students.

Stop by to pick up your free mask today!

Pick-Up Locations

• Basic Needs Hub, Student Center
  • Monday & Friday, 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• One Stop, Price Center East, Level 3
  
  • Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Campus Curbside, Gilman Parking Structure
  • Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Triton Health Ambassadors will also have masks available as they roam throughout campus.

Care and Storage of Your KN95

With proper care, a KN95 should be reusable for an extended period of time. To preserve their effectiveness, KN95 masks should be stored in a dry, safe location that's out of direct sunlight, such as a paper bag.

Replace your KN95 Mask when it:

• Becomes soiled or wet; OR
• No longer covers the nose and mouth; OR
• Has stretched out or damaged ties/straps; OR
• Has holes, tears, or any deteriorated fabric; OR
• Has been worn for five (5) or more full days (NIOSH recommendation)

As of March 2, 2022, students who are out of compliance with the UC vaccine mandate (including boosters) will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.

On March 7, 2022, these students will have academic holds placed on their account – meaning that they will no longer be able to add/drop Spring Quarter 2022 classes.

If you are out of compliance: please take action immediately, as failure to engage in an approved exemption process or receive your booster may impact your status as a continuing student.

How to be in Compliance

We understand that there may be a number of reasons for non-compliance, and offer the solutions below to help remedy your individual situation and restore compliance with the mandate.

Request an Exception/Deferral

Fully Remote Status:
If you are not planning on coming to campus for any reason, you may request to be exempted from the vaccine mandate until you physically return. Please fill out a Remote Exemption Form for each quarter that you will be fully remote.

Religious Objection:
If you have an objection to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine based on a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance, you must fill out a Religious Exemption Form.

Document your Doses

If you've been vaccinated and boosted but don’t see your information in MyStudentChart, be sure to upload your vaccination documentation if it was received from a non-UC San Diego provider. If you got your booster via UC San Diego and still don’t see it in MyStudentChart, please send a message via the “Ask a Nurse” function in the app.

Get Boosted!

If none of the above apply to you, schedule your booster now.

Appointments for COVID-19 vaccine boosters are available for all students at the Price Center or La Jolla/Hillcrest UC San Diego Health sites. Please click the following link to learn more about booster appointments and eligibility.

Don't Delay your Doses

To remain fully vaccinated and up-to-date, students must complete their vaccine series and recommended booster doses in a timely manner or within 30 days of becoming eligible. If you are eligible and have not yet boosted, you will need to complete asymptomatic testing twice-a-week.

If you would have been eligible for a booster, but recently were positive for COVID-19, you will have up to 90 days after being infected to receive your booster. If you were not diagnosed or tested within the UC San Diego Health system, please message “Ask A Nurse” to provide them this information.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Students and employees who choose not to be fully vaccinated and have no approved exception, accommodation or deferral potentially put the health of others at risk and may face disciplinary actions, including referral to the Office of Student Conduct, housing action, or enrollment holds.

Resources

The health and safety of our community is paramount, and we recognize that everyone's ability to adhere to the safety guidelines put in place may vary based on individual circumstances.

If you are experiencing any barriers to accessing COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or other requirements, please contact ucsdtha@ucsd.edu to discuss the services and resources available to help support your health and compliance with campus policies and regulations.

To review the COVID-19 policies and requirements that are currently applicable to students, please visit studentcovidcompliance.ucsd.edu or returntolearn.ucsd.edu.

Please direct any questions to studentcovidmandate@health.ucsd.edu.

Sincerely,

Alysson M. Satterlund, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Angela L. Scioscia, M.D.
Interim Executive Director, Student Health and Well-Being

For the purposes of identifying the appropriate Spring Quarter testing protocol, it is important to distinguish between 1) testing based on the start date of your physical presence on campus after returning from Spring Break; and 2) ongoing testing frequency upon the resumption of in-person instruction.

Spring Quarter Student Testing - All Students

Upon Arrival PCR Test

On the first day of their physical return to campus, all students – regardless of vaccination/booster status or campus residential status – must complete a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test via a campus vending machine or scheduled drive/walk-up appointment, unless they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days.

Required Ongoing PCR Testing Frequency

Once you’re physically back on campus, the frequency at which you need to test is dictated by your vaccination status.

Fully Vaccinated Students

What does it mean to be fully vaccinated?

• You have received a booster shot and it has been 7 days, OR
• You have received the complete initial vaccination series and you are not yet eligible for a booster.

Non-Fully Vaccinated Students

What is considered not fully vaccinated?

• You have received a booster shot and it has been less than 7 days; OR
• You have received a complete initial vaccine series and are eligible for a booster shot, but have not yet received one; OR
• You did not complete the initial vaccine series;
• You have not received any vaccines.

Recent COVID-19 Positive

If you have had COVID-19 in the past 90 days, you should NOT repeat a test – and you are exempt from the above testing requirements.

Those Living in Campus-Operated Housing

Pre-Arrival Rapid Antigen Test

Residential students arriving after Jan. 7 should complete a rapid antigen test in the 24-48 hour-window prior to the identified arrival date on campus. You do not need to report a negative rapid antigen test. If your rapid antigen test is positive, you need to isolate where you are and email shsmr@ucsd.edu with your result.

Upon Arrival PCR Test

In addition to rapid testing prior to arrival, all students – regardless of vaccination/booster status or campus residential status – must complete a PCR test via a campus vending machine or scheduled drive/walk-up appointment, unless they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days.

What if there is a positive wastewater signal in my building?

If you receive notice that there is a positive signal, all residential students, regardless of vaccination status, are required to complete a PCR test.

Required Ongoing PCR Testing Frequency

Once you’re physically back on campus, the frequency at which you need to test is dictated by your vaccination status.

If you are FULLY VACCINATED, you are strongly encouraged to test weekly; If you are NOT FULLY VACCINATED, you are required to test twice weekly (every 3-5 days).

Those Returning to Non-University-Owned Housing in San Diego

Pre-Arrival Rapid Antigen Test

Off-campus students should complete a rapid antigen test in the 24-48 hour-window prior to returning to San Diego. You do not need to report a negative rapid antigen test. If your rapid antigen test is positive, you need to isolate where you are and email shsmr@ucsd.edu with your result.

Upon Arrival PCR Test

In addition to rapid testing prior to arrival, all students – regardless of vaccination/booster status or campus residential status – must complete a PCR test via a campus vending machine or scheduled drive/walk-up appointment, unless they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days.

Required Ongoing PCR Testing Frequency

Once you’re physically back on campus, the frequency at which you need to test is dictated by your vaccination status.

If you are FULLY VACCINATED, you are strongly encouraged to test weekly; If you are NOT FULLY VACCINATED, you are required to test twice weekly (every 3-5 days).

Positive COVID-19 Results

Students who test positive via a UC San Diego vending machine or clinic should remain in their residence or suite and wait to receive a MyStudentChart message from Student Health Services with additional guidance on medical care.

Reporting Non-UC San Diego-Affiliated Results

If you receive a positive PCR test result from a non-UC San Diego Health location, OR a positive Rapid Antigen test, you must report your results to Student Health Services by emailing shsmr@ucsd.edu so that the information may be added to your health record and you are exempted from campus testing requirements for 90 days.

International Students’ Reporting

International students should also notify ISPO by submitting a Health Reporting Form via iPortal.ucsd.edu.

Non-UC San Diego Testing Locations

If you are not currently in San Diego and do not have access to vending machines on campus or UC San Diego-affiliated drive/walk-up clinics, you may also choose to visit your own healthcare provider for testing.

If you receive a positive PCR test result from a non-UC San Diego Health location, you must report your results to Student Health Services by emailing shsmr@ucsd.edu so that the information may be added to your health record and you are exempted from campus testing requirements for 90 days.

Confirmed Exposures

Students who have a confirmed exposure to COVID-19 will be contacted by the UC San Diego COVID Response Team and guided on next steps within 24 hours. You must conduct a COVID-19 PCR test upon notification of exposure and on Day 5 after exposure and remain masked at all times for 10 days. If you are not fully vaccinated, you cannot participate in campus activities until you have a negative PCR or Rapid Antigen test on day 5.

If you have not been contacted, it is very likely you were not deemed a close contact. Learn more about exposure and contact tracing.

COVID Testing While Remote

If you are fully remote for the entire quarter, you are not required to undergo regular COVID-19 testing until/unless you physically return to campus or University-owned property for any reason. Students who plan to be fully remote for the entire quarter must complete a Remote Form.

We strongly recommend that you get tested ASAP if you develop any symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

Demystifying Testing

In the following video, GPSA President Brian Lattimore and AS President Manu Agni help break down the COVID-19 testing protocol for UC San Diego students.

About Rapid Antigen Testing

Like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory tests – the kind you get from our vending machines – COVID-19 rapid antigen tests are viral tests used to detect SARS-COV-2 infection (COVID-19). They are quick to implement via self-administration, and can provide a result within 15 - 30 minutes.

Rapid vs. PCR Tests

Although they provide results more quickly and are convenient to use, rapid tests are less sensitive than PCR lab tests. Because of this:

• Rapid tests DO NOT replace our PCR surveillance testing program.
• Rapid tests DO NOT count toward student testing compliance protocols, while PCR tests do.

Though not perfect, rapid tests are valuable for identifying asymptomatic individuals who would otherwise not know they were infected – and could potentially spread the virus to other people.

Using Rapid Tests

In order to maximize accuracy of rapid tests, it is imperative to follow the accompanying instructions word-for-word. Keep the test flat, and monitor the Control and Testing lines during the entire time window noted – typically 15-30 minutes.

Please visit studentcovidcompliance.ucsd.edu for the latest information on COVID-19-related Student Conduct policies.

You may click below to view a recorded presentation on COVID-19-specific Student Conduct policies.